Do any of you know a song that is WAY better than the original? Like perhaps All Along the Watchtower....Jimi's version vs. Bob Dylan's. I think even Bob himself would agree that the Jimi version blows his original away. Or how about the Sublime version of Hope vs. the Decendants? Not sure there, but I really like Bud Gaugh's drumming on that song.

Agree about Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt too. A similar approach was taken by Gary Jules's cover of Tears for Fears's Mad World for the Donny Darko Soundtrack. I don't think it's better so much as it does what all the best covers do - it captured a feeling within the song that the original didn't.

A similar approach was taken by Gary Jules's cover of Tears for Fears's Mad World for the Donny Darko Soundtrack. I don't think it's better so much as it does what all the best covers do - it captured a feeling within the song that the original didn't.

That's like "Lay Lady Lay" by Magnet. I don't like it better than Dylan's, I just like it in a different way.

I was recently listening to Les Claypool's Frog Brigade playing Pink Floyd's Animals in it's entirety live. I think I actually like it better if only for the sound quality. As a much as I love me some Floyd and for as much as they've pushed the envelope on production values, to me there's often something missing or a certain deadness in their studio sounds that makes me wish for something richer.

I was recently listening to Les Claypool's Frog Brigade playing Pink Floyd's Animals in it's entirety live. I think I actually like it better if only for the sound quality. As a much as I love me some Floyd and for as much as they've pushed the envelope on production values, to me there's often something missing or a certain deadness in their studio sounds that makes me wish for something richer.

No kidding, huh? I'm gonna have to check that one out tomorrow. Sounds interesting.

As well as all the other replies. Sounds like some really cool stuff so far.

I like Tool's "No Quarter" more than Zeppelin's. Flame away. I know I deserve it ;)

Speaking of "All Along the Watchtower," I probably like DMB's version more than Dylan's or Hendrix's. But maybe that's because it is always live or a live recording, versus dylan/hendrix being studio recordings.

I was recently listening to Les Claypool's Frog Brigade playing Pink Floyd's Animals in it's entirety live. I think I actually like it better if only for the sound quality. As a much as I love me some Floyd and for as much as they've pushed the envelope on production values, to me there's often something missing or a certain deadness in their studio sounds that makes me wish for something richer.

I'm not going to actively disagree with you because I haven't heard Les Claypool's version. With that said, I think the 'deadness' you describe is an active aesthetic choice with 'Animals'. It is a very dark album and intentionally alienating to some degree and I think that is emphasised by the production style. They also produced it at Britannia Row (their own studio) that had a lot less gear than they had beforehand so I think that stripped back approach was two-fold and entirely intentional.

'Wish You Were Here' certainly is a richly produced album. They were just making a break for the hills with 'Animals'.

The only one that comes to mind, and I'll probably get flak for it, is Dream Theater's cover of Deep Purple's Perfect Strangers. Done with a 7-string guitar, a bit faster, and there's loads more energy.

All Along the Watchtower....Jimi's version vs. Bob Dylan's. I think even Bob himself would agree that the Jimi version blows his original away

Not an opinion shared by Noel Redding, apparently: though this may have been because he didn't play on the version on Electric Ladyland.

Something else I just thought of . . . the Metallica songs Orion and One were recorded by Rodrigo y Gabriela. Dunno about "better" than the original versions as their arrangements were very different animals, but very very good nonetheless.

I didn't know they covered that tune. Great playing as usual but IMO covering Joe Cocker is like covering Freddie Mercury - no one has that particular magic.

I know what you mean, but I don't think the unique individuality of the original overshadows the merits of the cover. That said, judged against the thread criteria, it may be a fail.

Here's another example. The same boys performing a much covered song, yet in this they bring a very different vibe to the party. I especially like the motion of the sprinkled percussion groove treatment.

Don't want to start world war 4 or 5 or whatever, but I much prefer the originals of all of these except for 'Til There Was You' and 'Chains', I especially prefer the vocals from the Isley Brothers. I do think the Beatles really nail 'Mr. Postman', but I'm not sure it's an improvement over the original.

yes. better than the original is a bit of a testy term, but i think i understand the gist and will play along.

Tanya Tucker's "Not Fade Away" blows away any other version i've heard. as does
Smith's - "Baby It's You", Helen Reddy's versions of lots of covers that she has done, including "I Don't Know How To Love Him". i prefer the pop single version of "Pinball Wizard" (can't remember the group). just about every cover Polly's groups have done (Cold Turkey, The Thrill Is Gone, I Put A Spell On You, The Kinks' One [Lazy Sunday - whatever the title is]. Cold Turkey is just pure awesomeness, and should be included on some movie soundtrack.. Anne Murray's "Just One Look" and "Daydream Believer".

James Taylor's "Handyman" is very special. ironically lacking the braggadacio and bravado'd delivery of the original, the contrast of the mellow arrangement and heartfelt delivery almost make one forget what he's actually talking about. Leah Kunkle (sister of Cass Elliott and ex-wife of Russ)'s backing vocal is wonderful. marvellous track.

__________________Can Someone Build Me A Zoom Video Recorder That Is Also A Phone ?

Careful Andy, careful! I have a particular affection for Dylan and actually think his original version of 'All Along the Watchtower' is better than the overwrought Hendrix version. Anything from 'Blood on the Tracks' would be impossible to improve upon.

If you've got good phones, just listen to what the bass's doing - yummy detuned goodness!

Agreed, awesome cover, one of my fav song on the live album :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anon La Ply

I didn't know they covered that tune. Great playing as usual but IMO covering Joe Cocker is like covering Freddie Mercury - no one has that particular magic.

Agreed again, but the "original" is by an obscur bloke called Ringo Starr, which of course, I like the version, but it's easier to cover Ringo than Joe or Freddy :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by keep it simple

Here's another example. The same boys performing a much covered song, yet in this they bring a very different vibe to the party. I especially like the motion of the sprinkled percussion groove treatment.

I'm not going to actively disagree with you because I haven't heard Les Claypool's version. With that said, I think the 'deadness' you describe is an active aesthetic choice with 'Animals'. It is a very dark album and intentionally alienating to some degree and I think that is emphasised by the production style. They also produced it at Britannia Row (their own studio) that had a lot less gear than they had beforehand so I think that stripped back approach was two-fold and entirely intentional.

'Wish You Were Here' certainly is a richly produced album. They were just making a break for the hills with 'Animals'.

Good points. Generally what gets me down about most Pink Floyd productions is the snare sound. Shallow of me, I know, but I just can't seem to like Nick Mason's taste in snare tuning. So when I heard Les' drummer cracking away on a nicely tuned, wide open Black Beauty, I was like, "That's it!" But there's also something about the ambiance of the live recording that appeals to me as well.